Walk in Faith had the opportunity to attend an exclusive screening of the upcoming movie, Breakthrough, based on the remarkable true story of John Smith’s miraculous recovery after drowning, and how his mother’s unending devotion and faith played a pivotal role in saving his life. We talked with director Roxann Dawson, producer DeVon Franklin, and star Chrissy Metz about how their faith brought them together to create this truly inspiring story.
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Democrats Debate: Bloomberg Faces Rivals for the First Time
Currents News Staff
Mike Bloomberg has been practicing for his first debate, and it appears his opponents have been practicing their attack.
“Anybody here worth $60 billion dollars – you can run for president,” said candidate Bernie Sanders.
Bloomberg has spent more than $400 million dollars in television, radio and digital ads targeting Super Tuesday states because he’s not on the ballot in Nevada, but his team argues there’s more to his campaign than just money.
“Mike believes that Donald Trump is an existential threat to this country,” explained Jason Schechter, director of communications for the Bloomberg campaign. “His re-election poses a huge, enormous challenge to America. So, he will spend whatever it takes to get Donald Trump out of office.”
Meanwhile, Senator Amy Klobuchar is welcoming Bloomberg to the debate stage
“I actually thought he should be on the debate stage, because I don’t think you should be able to just buy your way to the presidency,” she said.
The candidate who leads the delegate count right now, Pete Buttigieg, is taking aim at both Bloomberg and frontrunner Bernie Sanders.
“We’re asking people to choose between a revolution and a billionaire,”he said. “I just don’t think that’s speaking to where most of us are.”
Joe Biden hasn’t been where he wants to be, finishing at the bottom of the pack in both Iowa and New Hampshire, but now hoping for a strong finish in Nevada.
“We choose unity over division,” he said. “We choose, we choose compassion over cruelty and maybe more importantly we choose truth over lies, truth over lives, so folks, it’s time for us to get up!”
As for Senator Elizabeth Warren, she tweeted her attack on Bloomberg, apparently comparing him to President Donald Trump, saying “It’s a shame Mike Bloomberg can buy his way into the debate. But at least now primary voters curious about how each candidate will take on Donald Trump can get a live demonstration of how we each take on an egomaniac billionaire.”
And then while campaigning, she focused her attention and what remains of her voice on Trump.
“I’m Elizabeth Warren. I am going to be the woman who is going to beat Donald Trump.”
Currents News full broadcast for Wed, 2/19/20
On the newscast: The Guardian Angels are on patrol. Now, they’re fighting fear and anger linked to the deadly coronavirus; A Freedom Rider whose life was rooted in faith has returned to the Lord. We remember him this Black History month; On the anniversary of one of World War Two’s most vicious battles – Iwo Jima – the last surviving Marine in our area is honored; A tribute to heroes at the Crossroads of the World.
Watch weeknights at 7:00 pm EST on NET-TV in the New York City area on Spectrum, Optimum, and Fios. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to receive notifications about new content.
75 Years After Iwo Jima: Catholic War Hero Honored for Service
By Tim Harfmann
Inside a U.S. Marine Corps post, a list of veterans from Staten Island who fought in the bloody battle of Iwo Jima can be found.
Every name is marked with an asterisk, representing those who died during World War II or since.
All, except that of Nick Troianiello.
The 93-year-old is the last surviving Marine from Staten Island who fought in the battle.
Troianiello was recognized Feb. 19 for his heroism 75 years ago.
“He’s just like a shining light because of what he did back in 1945,” explained Volker Heyde of U.S. Marine Corps Detachment #246.
Troianiello entered the service as a private when he was 18, and found himself on the volcanic island in the Pacific.
“We weren’t even supposed to land on Iwo,”he explained. “The report was that it was going to be taken in three to five days. How mistaken they were!”
More than 6,000 Americans died in the vicious, month-long battle, and thousands more were injured.
“One day you’re with your comrades, and the next thing you know a mortar comes down and knocks out God knows how many… and all you see is flesh and metal and stuff flying all over the place,” Troianiello recalled.
He suffered a gunshot to his right forearm and a wound to his eye. For his bravery, Troianiello earned the Purple Heart.
He credits God with saving his life.
“There is a God,” he said. “I believe deeply. I pray for everybody every night and always… the guys that never come home.”
Seventy-five years later, Troianiello and others are remembering how all gave some, and some gave all.
An Interreligious Dialogue: Pope Francis Meets With Prime Minister of Iraqi Kurdistan
Currents News Staff
The prime minister of Iraqi Kurdistan met with Pope Francis in the Vatican.
Masrour Barzani says they spoke about the situation in Iraq and the Middle East.
The prime minister likely re-invited the Holy Father to visit the region.
During their meeting, they discussed the importance of interreligious dialogue in promoting tolerance and ending extremism.
Pope Francis emphasized this message with a gift: a copy of the Document on Human Fraternity he signed in Abu Dhabi with Muslim leaders a year ago.
“I would like people of different religions to be able to embrace one another,” Pope Francis said.
The pontiff was also struck by a photograph of a cross raised in a town after the defeat of the Islamic State.
The cordial meeting ended with a mutual request.
“Once again, thank you,” said Barzani. “I express our gratitude.”
“Pray for me,” Pope Francis asked
“And please, you pray for us,” Barzani responded.
A few weeks ago, Pope Francis met with Barham Salih, president of Iraq. The pontiff asked him to guarantee the safety of Christians in Iraq and to make sure they are included in the country’s future.
As Coronavirus Fears Continue, Guardian Angels Take to the Streets of Chinatown
By Emily Drooby
The Guardian Angels are hitting the pavement in Chinatown, New York, taking action to calm down coronavirus fears.
“It’s scaring the bejesus out of Americans, and tourists, and even the Asian Americans themselves but some are reacting by taking it out on their fellow neighbors who happen to be Asian American,” explained Curtis Sliwa, a Catholic and the group’s founder.
The intolerance motivated the famed volunteer crime-prevention organization to step up their patrols in areas with a large Chinese community – like Flushing in Queens, Sunset Park, Brooklyn and Manhattan’s Chinatown.
The coronavirus has killed over 2,000 people and infected more than 75,000 – most in mainland China.
In New York, fears over the deadly disease have been spreading, along with outright anger directed at Asian Americans.
“Just getting yelled at, like, randomly,” explained one person. “They would buy and order, and then someone would yell ‘coronavirus’ in their face.”
“Nothing major, just small things. Like on the bus…I see a little bit of micro-reactions,” said ___.
According to Sliwa, it has gotten so intense that Asian Americans aren’t even wearing face masks, a standard practice for many during flu season.
“Because they’re getting harassed,” he noted, “people are looking at them they’re saying things to them, thinking they’re somehow a demon, a bearer of coronavirus.”
The bad news doesn’t stop with that. People are staying away from businesses in Asian American neighborhoods.
In Chinatown, revenues are down an estimated 40 to 60 percent, and cities around the U.S. are hurting. There has been an estimated 28 percent drop in tourism from China.
“The streets are a lot more empty than what I remember from being out here in lower Manhattan,” said Guardian Angel Jose Gonzalez. “Always remembered these restaurants were packed, full and now you barely see one or two customers.”
The Guardian Angels have been eating at local restaurants, hoping others will follow their lead.
Officials have launched a campaign called “Show Some Love to Chinatown,” with the hopes of encouraging people to get back into the businesses.
While the coronavirus concerns are not going away anytime soon, at least the New York City community knows they have a Guardian Angel in Chinatown.
Currents News full broadcast for Tues, 2/18/20
On the newscast: The new Catholic leader of Philadelphia is installed this afternoon…and the rise of Archbishop Nelson Perez is one for the history books; President Trump is pardoning the NYPD’s former commissioner and several other high-profile people; A word to the wise — be kind. It’s going to be good for your health; And a story you won’t soon forget — a pigeon and puppy are now inseparable partners.
Watch weeknights at 7:00 pm EST on NET-TV in the New York City area on Spectrum, Optimum, and Fios. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to receive notifications about new content.
The Son of Cuban Immigrants is Now Philadelphia’s Chief Priest
By Tim Harfmann
Archbishop Nelson Perez was officially installed as the new Catholic leader of Philadelphia on Feb. 18.
Nearly 2,000 people packed the city’s Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, as Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the Pope’s ambassador to the United States, read the official letter from the Holy Father.
“We release you from the bond of your former See, and we appoint you metropolitan archbishop of the Catholic church of Philadelphia of the Latins,” Pierre read.
Archbishop Perez processed through the cathedral basilica with Francis’ signed letter on display.
The cleric is the son of Cuban immigrants and was ordained a priest of Philadelphia.
He succeeds retiring Archbishop Charles Chaput, who escorted him to the bishop’s chair.
In his homily, Archbishop Perez said he is hopeful for the future of the church.
“Never underestimate the power of the Spirit of God working in you, through you and despite you,” said Perez.
He also prayed victims of sexual abuse turn to the church for guidance.
“I, and we, are ever so deeply sorry to these victims; and we continue to work with hope that we will make it right and be a source for them of healing,” Perez said.
Archbishop Perez is a former Auxiliary Bishop of Rockville Centre, and in 2017, was assigned to the Cleveland Diocese.
‘Good Father Gus’ on the Road to Sainthood
Currents News Staff
Continuing Currents News’ coverage of Black History Month – the first African American to be ordained a priest, Father Augustus Tolton, is on the road to sainthood.
Here to talk more about the life of ‘Good Father Gus’ and what made him venerable is Father Alonzo Cox, Coordinator of the Brooklyn Diocese Vicariate for Black Catholic Concerns.
How Two Brooklyn Restaurateurs Are Clawing Their Way to Success
By Emily Drooby
Almost six years ago Fifi Bell-Clanton and Gwen Woods left their jobs and took a huge leap of faith.
“We quit our jobs and six months later we opened the Crabby Shack,” said Woods.
They didn’t have a background in the restaurant business but they did everything possible to claw their way to success.
“After everyone left we were mopping the floor, scrubbing the dishes, doing the toilets, and we were whipped, it was exhausting, exhausting,” Woods continued.
It was a big risk, about 60% of all restaurants fail in the first year but Bell-Clanton and Woods persevered.
“You can’t give up there’s going to be time when you want to throw in the towel but you just can’t,” said Bell-Clanton.
Business is booming, with customers traveling from all over ready to put on their plastic gloves and dig into the delicious crab recipes.
“It’s black history month. I’m always supporting black businesses and I had the weekend off so I figured let’s shoot out to Brooklyn – come out to the Crabby Shack,” said customer Malika Nzinga from Harlem.
The Crabby Shack was part of New York’s Black Restaurant Week, held during Black History Month.
“We are in Crown Heights, a gentrifying neighborhood, a lot of the traditionally Panamanian restaurants that are here and the black own restaurants are gone. We wanted to make a statement saying you know we are here,” said Woods.